My Favorite Love Live! Songs

Hello everyone and welcome back to Tiro Finale for more school idol content. Yesterday, Takuya presented his list of favorite Love Live Sunshine songs. Hence, I figured it would only be fitting for me to chip in as well with a little tribute to the group which started it all, Muse.

Throughout their 6 year tenure, the 9 members of Muse released many great songs and it is always difficult to pick and choose from all of them. As such, I have split my favorite songs into three sub-lists consisting of group songs, trios, duets and solos. Without further ado, I present to you my favorite Love Live! songs. 

Best Group Songs:

1. Bokutachi wa Hitotsu no Hikari

Muse's final songs in the animated series is arguably their magnum opus and greatest single in their entire track list. If there was any songs which ticked all the boxes, Bokutachi wa Hitotsu no Hikari, is that song. With lyrics that reference both the past and the future, choreography that culminates 6 years worth of journeys and an idol outfit which signifies their growth into the characters we know and love, Bokutachi was Hitotsu no Hikari is the perfect song. In fact, the entire setting of the song (in the movie) is eventually replicated in the grandest stage of them all, Tokyo Dome, which makes this song all the more special in the heart's of fans worldwide. Even when I listed to the song today, I am immediately taken back to their emotional live performance during the Final Live. 

2. Snow halation

A very, very close second is arguably one of Muse's most popular tracks, Snow halation. Despite being only their second single, Snow halation demonstrates incredible individuality in vocal performances of each of the 9 members allowing for an incredibly memorable listening experience. Of worthwhile note is Nitta Emi's (Honoka's seiyuu) vocal performance which served only as a slight teaser of what she was fully capable of. Fast forward several years and Snow halation is still an incredibly protected song which featured in the anime as the song which won them the Kanto Region qualifiers for Love Live and as the climax of every Live performance. Snow halation, lyrics and all, plays out like a quintessential idol song but, it grew to be so much more than just that.

3. KiRa-KiRa Sensation

KiRa-KiRa Sensation is a great song for more than just the music side of things. Like every other song in this list, KiRa-KiRa Sensation is an incredibly important song. How important? Important enough for Muse to win their first and only Love Live. From a production point of view, I am sure the music team certainly understood the weight of a Love Live winning song and put a lot of effort and consideration into producing it. On one hand hand, the song has incredible production values with distinct vocal performances from each member while still sending a relevant positive message through its lyrics. On the other hand, the song still has a very school idol-feel to it which lends a certain sense of realism to the track where Maki and Umi were able to compose despite their limited knowledge as high school students. This juxtaposition is exactly why KiRa-KiRA Sensation is one of my favorite songs from Muse. Oh, did I also mention this song won them Love Live?

Best Trio Songs:

1. Hello, Hoshi o Kazoete

Rin is often one of the most undervalued member in Muse partly because of her tomboy-ish appearance and ~nya speech pattern. But all of that ceases to matter once she starts singing. Iida Riho (Rin's seiyuu) was the youngest member when Muse first debut and it was certainly obvious as it took time for her vocal performance to mature and improve. But over the 6 years, Rippi grew exponentially as many started taking note of her vocal prowess. So when the Love Live movie finally came about, it was finally time for Rin to shine by heading the first year's trio track, Hello, Hoshi o Kazoete. Rin's vocal performance is absolutely spot on while being supported by Hanayo and Maki. But believe it or not, their performance is even more impressive live! If you have not already, you owe it to yourself to check this track out.

2. PSYCHIC FIRE

Even the typeface for the song is hyped so, what more can you expect from the most hyped track in the entire Muse track list? Sung by the sub-group BiBi consisting of Maki, Eli and Nico, PSYCHIC FIRE is an absolute powerhouse of an idol song which would stand alone well enough even without Love Live. Eli and Maki are no strangers to powerful vocal performances and PSYCHIC FIRE delivers that as well with Nico bringing the hype up to 11. Just like Hello, Hoshi o Kazoete, PSYCHIC FIRE is even better live with the hype of the crowd permeating the environment.

3. A-NO-NE-GA-N-BA-RE!

Third place was a close tie between my two favorite lily white songs, Anoneganbare! and Kimi no Kuse ni. Eventually, Anoneganbare edged out in part due to Umi's powerful vocal performance in this track. Since the beginning, lily white has always been my favorite sub-group. I think Nozomi, Rin and Umi's vocals work together very harmoniously. Moreover, each member of lily white comes from a different year giving the three of them a very sisterly-type bond with Nozomi being the big sister and Rin the playful younger sister. 

Best Duets:

1. Garasu no Hanazono

Did you even have to ask? The official NozoEli song is not just named as such because it features the both of them but, also because of the lyrics. With clear mentions towards a girl in love and being lost in a maze of lilies, the hints about Nozomi and Eli's special relationship is more than a little subtle. Garasu no Hanazono is probably the most fan-service in a Love Live song and I am sure that fact is not lost on the fans.

2. Mermaid festa vol.2 ~Passionate~

Starting slow, this song gradually builds up to be a high energy track with an upbeat tempo. Mermaid festa vol.2 ~Passionate~ is exactly as its namesake with it easily being one of the most passionate songs in Muse's track list. The decision to combine Rin and Honoka together was absolutely spot on with both these hyperactive school idols complementing one another. If you ever feel down and out, Mermaid festa vol.2 ~Passionate~ is most certainly guaranteed to life your spirits!

3. Suki desu ga Seuki desu ka?

If the previous song was all about energy and active spirits, Suki desu ga Suki desu ka? sung by Hanayo and Kotori are on the other end of the school idol spectrum. Innocent and incredibly sweet, the combination of Muse's two most girly members creates a track akin to a cinnamon roll. From start to finish, the beat and lyrics are incredibly cute that you cannot help but smile while listening to it. Be warned, Kotori and Hanayo are a dangerous combination indeed. 

Best Solo Songs:

1. Yume Naki Yume wa Yume ja nai

Honoka's solo single is all about dreaming big and striving to achieve your goals. The message may sound rather naive but, coming from Honoka, one cannot help but feel incredibly motivated from such a simple message. Since day one, Muse has set out on a singular goal and worked incredibly hard to reach that goal. And this song, perfectly encapsulates the drive and motivation required to make such feats possible. Because, it all starts from a dream. 

2. Kururin MIRACLE/ Koi no Signal Rin Rin Rin!

I could not decide between which of Rin's solo singles I liked best. Hence, I decided to include both of them. In Kururin MIRACLE, Rin sings about becoming more confident with her self image. While Koi no Signal Rin Rin Rin! is Rin's take on a love song. Both are incredibly happy and upbeat which lends itself perfectly to Rin's image. If you ever need an uplifting song to pick up your day, Rin has just the thing for you. 

3. Moshimo Kara Kitto

The final track on this list is a highly emotional piece sung by Nozomi. When I first heard it, I did not expect the studio to have produced such an emotional track for Nozomi. But having listened to it many times, it absolutely makes sense for a track described as being "filled with Nozomi's feelings" by Kusuda Aina (Nozomi's seiyuu). Nozomi has always been alone up until she met Eli in high school. Then came Muse which Nozomi helped coin the name for and subsequently became to group's spiritual leader. For many of the members, Nozomi was always looked up to be the reliable bigger sister character even by Eli who Nozomi quietly supports along the way. Despite all of that, Nozomi is contempt for the first time in her life, finally finding where she belongs. 

The list may be at an end now but, there are so many other great tracks from Muse that you should not miss out on too! Honorable mentions include, Angelic Angel, Dancing stars on me! and Love wing bell. All tracks with very powerful messages and equally powerful vocal performances. 

With that, we come to the end of the list of my favorite Love Live songs. Every time I write an article about Muse, I often get a little emotional reminiscing on the times when Muse were still active. But I always take solace in knowing that they had a good 6 year run and achieved way more than anyone could have ever imagined in the first place. So whenever I look back now, I know I have the confidence to look back in pride waiting for the day where Muse will make their faithful return, if ever. Until then, thank you so much for reading and have yourself a wonderful day ahead!